Legal
Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR) employs strategic legal action and regulatory advocacy to promote policies that are protective of our natural resources and challenge the practices of those who violate environmental laws. The landmark legal and regulatory victories that we have achieved, including our City of Atlanta case, have helped to shape clean water policy throughout Georgia and the nation.
Having engaged in many successful legal and regulatory campaigns, UCR is now often able to leverage its reputation to promote critical clean water policies without resorting to litigation. Through the relationships we have developed at the local, state and national levels, elected officials and regulatory agencies often view UCR as a resource in the effort to restore our waterways. This is our goal.
Partners in our Legal Work
UCR has been able to expand the reach of legal and regulatory success by partnering with public interest law firms such as the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Turner Environmental Law Clinic at Emory University. UCR has also received generous pro bono assistance the law firms of Carr, Tabb, Pope and Freeman, Smith, Gambrell and Russell and Lawson, Davis, Pickren and Seydel.
Policy, Planning and Cooperative Efforts
While UCR’s strategic use of the legal system has achieved numerous victories, we are equally enthusiastic about our cooperative efforts working with local, state, and federal representatives, as well as businesses, citizens and activist groups to improve environmental policies. UCR staff actively participate in community problem-solving, planning efforts, and policymaking.
From its earliest efforts in the Upper Chattahoochee region in 1994, UCR has stressed communication and cooperative problem-solving as a tool to achieve its goals. Often working in good faith those who some might consider "adversaries", UCR has been successful in reaching common ground on solutions that protect the environment and property values.
Working with Regulators and Regulated Communities
UCR works at every level with a wide variety of individuals and organizations. Successful working relationships have been established with industrial facilities, contractors and developers, local governments, junkyards and scrap recyclers, as well as the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to name a few. UCR’s work with these individuals and entities includes:
- Reviewing and providing comments on permit applications for discharges, water withdrawals, buffer variances and other permits that may affect the Chattahoochee;
- Participation in public hearings and public meetings on regulatory issues;
- Active involvement in stakeholder groups to develop regulations, changes to the law, new permits, or revise programs;
- Educating the regulated communities on changes in law or regulations and about potential ways to minimize their environmental impacts; and
- Visiting facilities and development sites when requested to assist in better site design, cleanup, or planning efforts.
For more information about UCR’s Legal Program including on-going litigation, past wins and the laws we use, please see our litigation section.
If you would like to speak with someone from UCR about our Legal Program, please contact our General Counsel Elizabeth (Betsy) Nicholas or Programs Coordinator Birgit Bolton.
If you would like to get involved as a volunteer or legal intern, please contact us.
